Certificate in Rongoā

• 1 x 3-hour kura whakaako – compulsory class each week

Your structured class and group times include: 

• face-to-face with your kaiako or other presenters 

• online sessions 

• practice, revision, and assessment activities 

• 8 x noho marae (23 hours per noho)

• 4 x 1-day wānanga (9 hours per wānanga)

Dates, venue and details will be confirmed by your kaiako.

Learn more about noho learning. 

Plan for around 24 hours per week

Tasks and activities you’ll complete outside of class include: 

• Working through programme resources (such as workbooks, audio, video, or online activities) 

• Completing aromatawai (assessments) and required reading 

• Practising your new skills

• Doing research, reflection, or group study 

Keen to know how study fits around work and home? Our Enrolment Support and Study Experience section can help. 

Activities in iAkoranga  (our digital platform)

iAkoranga is our online learning space where you’ll access resources, activities and support throughout your programme.

You’ll need to have access to a: 

• Computer or laptop 

• Reliable internet connection

You’ll develop te reo and tikanga practices related to rongoā to enhance mana reo. You’ll explore ko wai au, pepeha, whanaungatanga and tūrangawaewae, while building confidence with kupu Māori for rongoā, and understand karakia and the role of sound and reo in rongoā contexts. You’ll apply tikanga and te reo to harvesting practices, and identify, name and collect a minimum of 10 rongoā, using maramataka principles.

You’ll develop an understanding of how tikanga and rongoā express mana tangata. You’ll explore the relationship between rongoā and hauora through Māori health models, reflect on mauri, wairua and personal wellbeing, and examine the roles of tohunga and the impacts of colonisation. You’ll also learn the physiology of ngā atua, human anatomy in te reo Māori and English, and the use of rongoā for common health conditions.

You’ll deepen your knowledge of tikanga and rongoā as expressions of mana whenua. You’ll identify edible and non-edible plants, apply tikanga and kawa to collecting, preparing and storing rongoā, and reflect on practices connected to your local whenua. You’ll emphasise tikanga-ā-tangata and the preservation of tikanga through tohunga, and examine rongoā services within hauora organisations, both Ministry and non-Ministry contracted.

You’ll develop knowledge of tikanga and rongoā as expressions of mana ao tūroa, with a focus on environmental relationships and kaitiakitanga. You’ll explore connections between atua Māori, te ao Māori and te ao rongoā, apply tikanga when working with both healing and poisonous plants, and prepare rongoā for internal and external use while understanding plant actions. You’ll practice hygiene and safety with a clear emphasis on caution, health and safety, and the responsibilities of kaitiakitanga when harvesting, preparing and prescribing rongoā.